Nigerian aviation authority threatens sanctions on Turkish Airlines over passenger stranding
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a stern warning to Turkish Airlines, threatening significant penalties due to the airline’s failure to airlift Nigerian passengers stranded at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.
The aviation regulatory agency, in a statement, said over 300 passengers have been affected by this situation, which resulted from a labor dispute between the airline and aviation unions.
NCAA spokesman and Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, stated that the agency, under directives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is dedicated to safeguarding the rights of Nigerian passengers.
According to him, Tinubu has instructed the NCAA, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and other relevant bodies to take decisive action to protect passengers’ rights.
Achimugu revealed that the conflict began on Tuesday when aviation labor unions picketed Turkish Airlines at Lagos Airport, disrupting its operations.
Attempts at reconciliation were made during a virtual meeting involving NCAA Director-General, Captain Chris Najomo and the airline’s Country Manager.
However, the meeting deteriorated when the airline representative displayed a lack of respect, which the NCAA found unacceptable.
The agency has made it clear that it will thoroughly investigate the incident and impose appropriate sanctions if Turkish Airlines is found at fault.
Achimugu also disclosed that the NCAA is currently examining the circumstances leading to the stranded passengers, ensuring their rights are upheld.
The NCAA’s spokesperson said he visited the stranded passengers, conveying assurances from the NCAA’s Director-General that all efforts are being made to resolve the issues and ensure the passengers are airlifted to their destinations.
He emphasised that the authority will not tolerate any violations of Nigerian passengers’ rights by any airline, foreign or domestic.
He said: “The NCAA is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the inability of Turkish Airlines to operate flights out of Lagos Airport, due to the picketing of its operations by aviation unions; we will ensure that the rights of Nigerian passengers are not violated.
“Currently, the NCAA is engaging officials of Turkish Airlines, but we have observed some degree of insolence of the Country Manager, who engaged our Director General, Captain Chris Najomo in a shouting match, he was even banging the table.
“This behaviour to the NCAA is unacceptable. At the end of our findings, if the airline is found culpable, we will invoke the relevant parts of our regulation Part 17 to meet out the right punishment.”
Meanwhile, passengers stranded at the airport have expressed their frustration and distress. Fernando Obiekwe Ngozichukwu, a resident of Guttenberg, Sweden, shared his fear of losing his job due to the delays.
Another passenger, Germany-based construction worker Charles Ifeanyi, urged the federal government to intervene and prevent further mistreatment of Nigerian travellers.
The situation arose from a labor dispute dating back to 2020, where the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) claimed that Turkish Airlines had wrongfully dismissed several union members.
Recall that the unions have since mobilised to demand the reinstatement of affected staff, leading to the current picketing action.
The NCAA said it will continue to engage with Turkish Airlines to find a resolution and ensure that stranded passengers are promptly attended to.
The authority remains committed to protecting the rights of Nigerian passengers and holding any violating airline accountable.
